Other HW30/R7 in .177 or .22?

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sidpost

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Aug 1, 2019
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Tx, United States
I am looking for a light easy to use plinker to go with the HW95 Magnus from Krale. I find the 0.177 pellets to be a bit fiddly to load into an air pistol I have with just a port to reach the chamber. A break barrel will give me much easier access but, those tiny pellets are still a little troublesome to handle with my repetitively keyboard stressed hands.

Is a 0.22 HW30 a good option? I assume it will still hit at ~8FPE with just a slower velocity. I might also try killing some mice, a snake, or tree rats with it. I am looking for a low effort plinker so, an HW50 or similar things are probably not a good option for me.

So, 0.177 or 0.22 HW30? If not, what and why?
 
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As you mention, .22 will shoot slower than .177, and that means the trajectory of the pellet will be different too. If you don't mind adjusting your aim for a more curved trajectory, and find .22 easier to load, then .22 will work fine. Personally, I refer a flatter trajectory, and find .177 to be a much better fit for the hw30/R7 given the relatively small size and low power of the gun.
R
 
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Small world, wouldn’t want to paint it. Just before I read this while watching the BBQ, I unloaded the elevator, had 2 HW30’s .20 and .22 cal. and 2 HW50’s .20 and .22. for a little comparison.
Soon I’ll be plinking 2 hrs. daily. Different from many I love the trajectory. I’m leathal to 47 yds. With a scope you can watch the looping.
Oh, smokin gun for wasps and flies at 25 yds.
I have a 30 and 50 .22 cal. As well the HW77 and HW97 in .25. cal. Doesn’t get any better IMO.
Loading is much easier as well. 👍In my opinion the .22 for plinking.
Have a few .177’s and the only negative thing is fiddly size of the .177, which is small potatoes in a beak barrel.
Your 95 can play sheriff for any needs. Good luck. Crow
 
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If tree rats are gray or red fox squirrels a 22 Hw30 will have more penetration issues. That's big pellet to push slowly through a tough animal. A 177 Hw30 would be better for tree rats because will they penetrate better. Even then shots have to be under 25 yards. Under 20 to be sure. I've killed plenty of squirrels with my 177 HW30s under 20 yards a few out to 25 yards. At 25 yards you need a perfect head shot. Body shots don't often penetrate. A Hw30 in 22 will penetrate less. I prefer my 177 Hw50 for squirrels because it gives me a little more power and flatter trajectory. You'll have the 95 for tree rats anyway.

For everything else you mentioned a 22 Hw30 is just as good as a 177. And the pellets are easier to handle.

HTH
 
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Mycapt65 said:
If tree rats are gray or red fox squirrels a 22 Hw30 will have more penetration issues. That's big pellet to push slowly through a tough animal. A 177 Hw30 would be better for tree rats because will they penetrate better. Even then shots have to be under 25 yards. Under 20 to be sure. I've killed plenty of squirrels with my 177 HW30s under 20 yards a few out to 25 yards. At 25 yards you need a perfect head shot. Body shots don't often penetrate. A Hw30 in 22 will penetrate less. I prefer my 177 Hw50 for squirrels because it gives me a little more power and flatter trajectory. You'll have the 95 for tree rats anyway.

For everything else you mentioned a 22 Hw30 is just as good as a 177. And the pellets are easier to handle.

HTH
Click to expand...

The HW 85 will take anything I'm not comfortable taking with the R7. I'm in East Texas with brown Squirrels which I don't think are tough enough at the range I'll shoot them to be a problem with an R7. I could always use a 22LR if needed as well as the HW 85.
 
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Good luck finding the extremely limited HW50 in .25. Far as I know only a few were built for the UK Market.
My .25 Webley Stingray was a lucky find
Same size and weight as an HW50.
Hits hard for its modest velocity. Very accurate.

IMG_2901.jpeg
 
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sidpost said:
Thanks everyone! Sounds like either option is a great choice.

While 0.177 pellets seem a good deal cheaper and easy to find locally, the 0.22 are will be easier for me to use, especially as I get older. An HW 50 in 25 might be a good future option for me as well.
Click to expand...
You will be surprised what a modest powered .25 does to reactive targets. Try one on water bottles, soda cans, and tin cans. Especially the thicker end of aluminum cans.
 
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I vote for the HW30 .177 @Bear-of-Grayling said, it is pretty much perfect. .177 pellets come in many different weights. Here are my results.

Flat and fast? JSB RS 7's
Flat and hard? HN FTT 8's
Loopy and hit like a freight train? HN Baracuda Match 10's
Good Luck at 55 yards? HN Sniper Magnum 15's

It is crazy how much the characteristics of the rifle can change with just a few grains... YMMV.
 
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